氷山の一角

• Reading: ひょうざんのいっかく
• Romaji: hyouzan no ikkaku
• Kanji breakdown: 氷 (hyou) — ice; 山 (zan) — mountain; 一 (ichi/ikka) — one; 角 (kaku) — corner, angle
• Pronunciation: /çoː.zaɴ.no.ik.ka.kɯ/

Meaning

Tip of the iceberg. A small, visible part of a much larger problem or situation.

A set expression (慣用句) meaning that what is visible is only a small fraction of the whole, just as most of an iceberg is hidden underwater. Used exactly like the English equivalent — to indicate that a revealed problem, scandal, or issue is far bigger than it appears. Very common in news commentary, editorial writing, and everyday conversation when discussing hidden problems.

Examples

1. 今回の不正は氷山の一角にすぎない。 The fraud uncovered this time is just the tip of the iceberg.
2. この問題は氷山の一角で、根はもっと深い。 This problem is just the tip of the iceberg — the root goes much deeper.
3. 報告された被害は氷山の一角だろう。 The reported damage is probably just the tip of the iceberg.

Usage Guide

Context: news commentary, problem analysis, daily conversation

Tone: cautionary

Origin & History

Calque from English 'tip of the iceberg.' 氷山 (hyouzan, iceberg) + の (no, of) + 一角 (ikkaku, one corner). Adopted into Japanese through Western scientific and literary influence.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal